One transdermal patch of Rivastigmine (equivalent to 4.6 mg/24h per os) per day from randomization to day 14 before day 14: end od treatment, if DRS R-98 severity < 10 during 2 consecutive days At day 14, if DRS R-98 severity ≥ 10: one transdermal patch of Rivastigmine 9.5 mg/24h per day from day 14 to day 30 if DRS R-98 severity < 10, the active treatment will be stopped

Placebo Comparator: placebo

Drug: placebo patch

One transdermal patch of placebo per day from randomization to day 14 Before day 14: end of treatment if DRS R-98 severity < 10 during 2 consecutive days, At day 14 if DRS R-98 severity ≥ 10: One transdermal patch of placebo per day from day 14 to day 30 if DRS R-98 severity < 10, the placebo treatment will be stopped

Detailed Description:

Delirium affects up to 50% of hospitalized patients aged 75 and over. Delirium increases risk of comorbid illness, hospital length of stay, institutionalization, and death. Patients with diagnosed or undiagnosed cognitive impairment are at risk to develop delirium. In a prospective study, half of elderly patients with delirium seen in the emergency department had cognitive impairment.

- to assess the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors in patients aged 75 and over hospitalized with delirium

Secondary objectives:

to describe at one year the percentage of these patients who have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and associated disorders

to assess the sensitivity to cholinesterase inhibitors in the sub-group of patients with a diagnosis of dementia at one year Design and methods Multicenter, randomized, controlled study with two parallel arms: a rivastigmine group and a placebo group. The study includes a treatment period of one month and a follow-up of 11 months.

Evaluation of the delirium severity will be conducted with DRS-R98 severity each day during the hospitalization.

At day 14, according to DRS-R98 severity score, interruption of treatment or upward dose titration At day 30, last treatment (active or placebo) administration and evaluation with CAM, DRS-R98 severity, MMSE and DSM IV dementia criteria. In case of dementia diagnosis, investigator (MD) will identify the etiologic diagnosis.

At month 3 and 12, evaluation with CAM, DRS-R98 severity, MMSE and DSM IV dementia criteria, number of consultation and hospitalization. In case of dementia diagnosis, , investigator (MD) will identify the etiologic diagnosis.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

75 Years and older (Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients aged 75 and over

Hospitalization for delirium not correlated to surgery for less than 48 hours

Cardiorespiratory impairment at risk of transfer to intensive care unit

Major sensory deficits that could interfere with cognitive assessment (visual and auditory)

Not fluent in French

Being under guardianship

Absence of caregiver/informant to sign informed consent form

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01487317